Marshall, Kate et al. (University of Wollongong, Australia)
The role of temperamental traits within mindfulness: effortful control
Effortful control (EC) is a developmental trait defined as the efficiency of executive attention, including the ability to inhibit a dominant response and activate a subdominant response. It is regarded as a key determinant of an individual’s self-regulatory ability. Several theoretical models exploring the mechanisms that underlie mindfulness indicate the importance of self-regulation as an integral part of the practice. Examination of the literature revealed that the executive functions explained by EC were similar to the cognitive elements found within mindfulness. Yet no literature was found that examined the constructs together. Thus, the immediate objective of this research was to examine the potential link between EC and mindfulness. Secondly, given the specific process that EC affects, it was argued that a mechanistic pathway could exist in which EC linked to mindfulness through measures of attention regulation and mental proliferation This investigation was divided into two studies. The first involved a cross sectional analysis with the aim of examining the relationship over a large sample, while the second involved a quasi-experimental analysis of an eight-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme to strengthen the findings. The results will be discussed in terms of the overall role that EC plays within individual scores of mindfulness. We will also discuss how this relationship occurs, using Buddhist concepts to describe a mechanistic pathway.
The role of temperamental traits within mindfulness: effortful control
Effortful control (EC) is a developmental trait defined as the efficiency of executive attention, including the ability to inhibit a dominant response and activate a subdominant response. It is regarded as a key determinant of an individual’s self-regulatory ability. Several theoretical models exploring the mechanisms that underlie mindfulness indicate the importance of self-regulation as an integral part of the practice. Examination of the literature revealed that the executive functions explained by EC were similar to the cognitive elements found within mindfulness. Yet no literature was found that examined the constructs together. Thus, the immediate objective of this research was to examine the potential link between EC and mindfulness. Secondly, given the specific process that EC affects, it was argued that a mechanistic pathway could exist in which EC linked to mindfulness through measures of attention regulation and mental proliferation This investigation was divided into two studies. The first involved a cross sectional analysis with the aim of examining the relationship over a large sample, while the second involved a quasi-experimental analysis of an eight-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme to strengthen the findings. The results will be discussed in terms of the overall role that EC plays within individual scores of mindfulness. We will also discuss how this relationship occurs, using Buddhist concepts to describe a mechanistic pathway.